Christian Art | Ascension | The Lord Jesus Christ Is Within You
Office Of Readings | Week 16, Thursday, Ordinary Time | A Reading From The Discourses Of Saint Ambrose On The Psalms | Light Of God’s Countenance
‘You have Jesus Christ within you.’
Saint Ambrose’s reflection on Psalm 44 (/Vg. 43) considers what might be one of the most persistent experiences in spiritual life: the feeling that God has turned away. Rather than offer abstract consolation, Saint Ambrose interprets this experience through the lens of faith, Scripture, and theology. His aim is to show that even when God seems absent, he remains present in a real and transformative way.
‘Why do you turn your face away?’ | A Cry of the Heart
This line from the psalm expresses the disorientation and anguish that people feel in suffering or spiritual dryness. Saint Ambrose explains that it is not that God has truly turned away, but that the human soul, overwhelmed by sorrow or sin, feels unable to perceive his light. In this state, the intellect becomes clouded, the heart unsettled, and faith challenged.
Ambrose reassures his readers that this is a common part of the spiritual journey, not a sign of failure. The experience of divine absence is a kind of test—not of God’s reliability, but of the believer’s memory and trust.
The Face Of God As Light And Recognition
In biblical thought, to see the face of God is to experience his favour, nearness, and presence. Ambrose reminds us that, just as we recognise a person most readily by the face, the soul recognises God most clearly when it perceives his light. This is not just poetic: light, for Ambrose, represents truth, grace, and spiritual clarity.
Ambrose draws on St Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 4:6 to reinforce his point:
‘It is the same God who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.’
This verse helps Ambrose connect the psalmist’s longing with the revelation of Christ, who is the visible image of the invisible God. Through Christ, God’s face has been definitively shown—and not just outwardly, but inwardly, within the human heart.
Jesus Christ, The Light Within
Ambrose emphasises that Jesus Christ now shines within the believer. This light is not an external comfort but an internal, spiritual reality. Once received, it does not fade—even when the believer is struggling. This inner light is a result of grace and can guide, sustain, and transform the soul.
Ambrose’s theological point is clear: God may seem absent, but he is never truly gone. His light, once granted, is imprinted on the soul—especially through baptism and faith.
Healing Faith | Peter And Zacchaeus
To support his interpretation, Ambrose draws on two biblical examples:
- In Acts 3, Peter heals the lame man by inviting him to ‘look upon us’. The man’s faithful attention opens the way to healing. Ambrose reads this as an image of Christ’s light working through the apostles.
- Zacchaeus (Luke 19), too short to see Jesus through the crowd, climbs a tree and catches sight of Christ. This moment changes everything: from a tax collector taking from others, Zacchaeus becomes a man who gives generously.
In both stories, the act of looking upon Christ (or those who represent him) brings not just insight, but transformation. Ambrose sees these as illustrations of what the psalm means by the light of God’s face.
‘Even If You Turn Away, Your Light Remains’
Ambrose reads the psalm’s line not as despair, but as an expression of faith in God’s constancy. Even if it seems that God’s face is hidden, the memory and imprint of that light remain in the soul. It is not erased by suffering, nor by silence.
He adds a final warning: if God were truly to withdraw his face, life would cease altogether. That he does not do so is a sign that his sustaining presence continues, even when we cannot feel it.
This is not just theology for Ambrose—it is pastoral wisdom. He is teaching his readers to trust that God’s grace endures, even in darkness.
A Reading From The Discourses Of Saint Ambrose On The Psalms | Light Of God’s Countenance
Why do you turn your face away? We think that God has turned his face away from us when we find ourselves suffering, so that shadows overwhelm our feelings and stop our eyes from seeing the brilliance of the truth. All the same, if God touches our intellect and chooses to become present to our minds then we will be certain that nothing can lead us into darkness.
A man’s face shines out more than the rest of his body and it is by the face that we perceive strangers and recognise our friends. How much more, then, is the face of God able to bring illumination to whoever he looks at!
The apostle Paul has something important to say about this, as about so many other things. He is a true interpreter of Christ for us, bringing him to our understanding through well-chosen words and images. He says: It is the same God that said, ‘Let there be light shining out of darkness’, who has shone in our minds to radiate the light of the knowledge of God’s glory, the glory on the face of Christ. We have heard where Christ shines in us: he is the eternal brilliant illumination of souls, whom the Father sent into the world so that his face should shine on us and permit us to contemplate eternal and heavenly truths – we who had been plunged in earthly darkness.
What shall I say about Christ, when even the apostle Peter said to the man who had been lame from birth Look upon us? The cripple looked at Peter and found light by the grace of faith: unless he had faithfully believed he could not have received healing.
When there was so much glory to be seen among the Apostles, Zacchaeus, hearing that the Lord Jesus was passing by, climbed a tree because he was small and weak and could not see the Lord through the crowd. He saw Christ and he found light. He saw Christ and instead of robbing others of their goods he began to give away his own.
Why do you turn your face away? Let us read it thus: even if you do turn your face away from us, Lord, its light is still imprinted upon us. We hold it in our hearts and our innermost feelings are transformed by its light.
For if you truly turn your face away, Lord, no-one can survive.
Christian Prayer With Jesus
Lord,
In times of sorrow or confusion,
when your face feels far from me,
help me to remember the light you have placed in my heart.
Let the face of Christ shine within me again.
Teach me to look to him in faith,
as the lame man looked to Peter and was healed,
as Zacchaeus looked and was changed.
Your presence remains, Lord,
even when my feelings say otherwise.
May your light guide me through the dark,
until I see your face fully in your kingdom.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Glossary Of Christian Terms
Psalm 44 (/Vg. 43): The psalm is numbered 44 in the Hebrew and most modern Bibles and 43 in the Latin Vulgate. It is a psalm of lament and trust.
Vulgate: The Latin version of the Bible, used in the Western Church since the 4th century.
Septuagint: An early Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures, often used in the early Church.
2 Corinthians 4:6: A verse describing Christ as the one who brings God’s light into human hearts.
Theophany: A visible manifestation of God to humanity.
Incarnation: The Christian doctrine that God became human in the person of Jesus Christ.
Saint Gregory of Nyssa’s reflection on Christian formation explores the transformation of the believer through the grace of the Holy Spirit. His theme ‘Fight the good fight of faith’ is taken from Saint Paul’s exhortation in the First Letter to Timothy (1 Tim 6:12). Gregory interprets this not as a call to conflict with others, but as a lifelong struggle against sin and the disorder of self-will [ … ]
Christian Art | Life Of Jesus In The Gospels | King James Audio Bible KJV The Gospel Of Saint John 14: 1-7 | King James Audio Bible YouTube: Connection With The Life Of Jesus In The Gospels | King James Audio Bible The Gospels are not just a collection of stories or teachings, but a window into the life of Jesus. By reading and reflecting on the Gospels, we gain a deeper understanding of who Jesus was and what he came to do. As we read the Gospels, we see that Jesus was a man of great compassion and love. Jesus showed mercy to the outcasts and the marginalized, and he offered healing and hope to those who were in need. He also taught with authority, challenging the religious leaders of his day and offering a new way of living based on love and service. But the Gospels are not just a history lesson. They are also an invitation for us to enter into a relationship with Jesus. By reading and meditating on the Gospels, we can come to know Jesus more personally and deeply. We can learn from his example and seek to follow in his footsteps. So we may be encouraged to read the Gospels, perhaps starting with the Gospel of Mark or the Gospel of John, as we read paying attention to how Jesus interacted with others and how he responded to different situations. We may ask ourselves what you can learn from his words and actions, and how we can apply them to our own lives. And as we read, we can allow ourselves to be drawn into a closer relationship with Jesus. There truly is an historical Jesus. May the Gospels be a source of guidance, inspiration, and transformation for us all. How Much In The Gospels Is Historical, And How Much Is Myth, Legend, Trope, Figurative Thinking? It is difficult to say with certainty how much of the Gospels is historical in the modern sense of the word and how much is myth, legend, trope, or figurative thinking. The Gospels were written some years after the events they describe, and they were written from the perspective of the early Christian community. This means that the Gospels may contain a mix of historical facts and interpretation, as well as elements of myth, legend, and figurative thinking. That being said, scholars believe that the Gospels contain a good deal of historical information. For example, the Gospels describe specific places and events, such as the places where Jesus preached and the events of his trial and Crucifixion. These details suggest that the writers of the Gospels had access to historical information and intended to provide an accurate account of what happened. On the other hand, the Gospels also contain elements that are not seen by all as historical, howsoever this goes to the root of the faith, such as the miracles performed by Jesus and the accounts of his resurrection. Some see these as legends or myths that were added to the Gospels to help convey the message of the early Christian community. The question of how much of the Gospels is historical and how much is myth, legend, or figurative thinking is complex. What is important is that we approach the Gospels with an open mind and a willingness to engage with the stories and teachings they contain. We are in the Gospels in conversation with God – and with the many people who have had such faith and conversations – as with the historical Jesus. Why Do The Gospels Say Were People Afraid Of Jesus? There are several reasons why people may have been afraid of Jesus, according to the Gospels. One reason is that Jesus was a powerful and charismatic figure who challenged the religious and political authorities of his time. He spoke out against corruption and injustice, and he called on people to repent and turn to God. This type of behaviour was seen as threatening by those in positions of power, and they may have been afraid of losing their influence or authority. Another reason is that Jesus performed many miracles, such as healing the sick and casting out demons. These miracles were seen as evidence of his divine power, and they may have made people afraid of him. Some people may have been afraid of being healed or possessed by Jesus, while others may have been afraid of what would happen if they did not believe in him. Finally, some people may have been afraid of Jesus because of the prophecies and expectations of the coming of a messiah. The Jews of Jesus’ time were looking for a saviour who would deliver them from oppression and establish a kingdom of God on earth. When Jesus arrived on the scene, he may have been seen as a threat to the status quo, and some people may have been afraid of what he might do. Might The Fear Be Related To The Fear Of God – The Injunction To Fear God? Yes, it is possible that the fear of Jesus mentioned in the Gospels may be related to the fear of God. In the Old Testament, the fear of God is often used to describe a deep reverence and awe for God, as well as a sense of humility and obedience in the face of his greatness. This fear of God is seen as a positive and necessary quality for a faithful believer, and it is often linked to the idea of fearing God’s punishment or judgement. In the New Testament, the fear of God is also mentioned, but it is often portrayed in a more positive light. For example, in the Gospel of Luke, Jesus tells his followers not to be afraid of those who can only kill the body, but to fear God, who can destroy both body and soul (Luke 12:4-5). This suggests that the fear of God is not just about punishment, but about a deep respect for […]
The disciples who encountered Jesus on their way to Emmaus have returned in haste to tell the disciples in Jerusalem what they have heard and seen. Jerusalem has long been a city special to God. It is the Holy City. The Church of Christ is described, in the New Testament, as the Jerusalem above, the heavenly Jerusalem, and the new Jerusalem. It is here that Christ suffered. It is from here that the Kingdom of God begins to spread [ … ]
